We’ve all heard the term "basic white girl," a stereotype for young females characterized by over sized t-shirts, leggings, Ugg boots, messy buns, a profound love for Netflix (more specifically, "Grey’s Anatomy" and "Gossip Girl"), and frequent trips to Starbucks. However, many overlook the fact that this label can be harmful to a woman’s confidence and of self-worth. For the most part, I myself fit the previously mentioned profile of a basic white girl, and as of recently I have noticed its effects on my own thoughts and the judgments of my peers.
The phrase, "basic white girl," lumps all college-age girls with similar appearances and interests as exactly the same and I often find myself having to prove that I am, in fact, different from other girls that appear to be like me. Because of this label, I am frequently judged as sheltered and uninteresting simply because I share a few common clothing items with many females my age. When meeting people for the first time, I am automatically categorized into this group of basic white girls and then forced to try to prove myself as an individual. Moreover, this stereotype has taken a toll on my confidence because I no longer feel like I am a unique or engaging person.
This stereotype has a huge foundation within social media. Once something becomes widely known as “basic” it is the subject of mockery on Twitter and Facebook. When a song or fashion trend becomes very popular among girls my age, it becomes a joke and my liking it is dismissed because people automatically assume I am only conforming to girls similar to me. These alleged basic white girls are seen to have all of the same likes and dislikes. When my own likes and dislikes coincide with that of the stereotype, I find myself embarrassed because I feel as though I am incapable of thinking for myself.
Though I am constantly trying to differentiate myself from this stereotype, I sometimes find myself subconsciously adhering to its expectations. For instance, it is common knowledge that your average basic white girl loves Chipotle. Don’t get me wrong, Chipotle makes a mean burrito but it is not one of my favorite restaurants. Despite this, when friends ask, “Chipotle for dinner?” I respond with an enthusiastic yes because it’s not worth the trouble of daring to be different. Though a dinner choice may seem trivial, it is just one example of how I feel the need to conform to this label that I have been given.
Although it seems lighthearted, this basic white girl label can actually have an effect on young women. Despite the suggestions that us scarf-wearing, emoji-using, pumpkin spice-loving girls are all exactly the same, we are individuals with our own thoughts and interests. The bottom line is this: there is no such thing as a basic white girl. As similar as we may seem on the surface, every girl has her own unique personality that deserves to be acknowledged before she is written off as basic.
